Beware when shopping in the stores in the Port of Cozumel. I shopped at Ten Dollar Silver on 12/23/11. Told earrings were $42. Said too much and put them back. Guy said how about $35 for the earrings. My daughter wanted a ring too. Ring $30 and earrings $35. I confirmed before I gave my credit card. They covered total on receipt when I went to sign (I didn't notice) when they pulled their hand away I saw I was charged $75! I said you overcharged should be $65. Cashier says "oh no it's right. Earrings are $45. I said then I don't want them (I have not moved from the register). "So sorry we can not do credits". She moves a sign behind some bags that says "no refunds". "Nothing I can do, too bad". I said you can do a credit. Cashier said "I can not do credits. If you know how, here is credit card machine, you do it" This was a deliberate con. They are operating to rip off passengers they know are in a hurry to get back to ship. It was blatant and deliberate. DO NOT SHOP at this store (1st jewelry store when coming back in from parking lot heading to ships). Great selection but VERY dishonest people!!

Trip

December 29th, 2011 07:26 PM

Did you contact your credit card company,and, lodge a complaint? There could be a history of problems with this shop, and a credit back to you, while they investigate, could become perminent.

Donna

December 29th, 2011 08:19 PM

I too would call and and lodge a complaint. When in ports and not spending a lot, use cash only, then no problem...

snorklr45

December 30th, 2011 04:38 PM

Ten Dollar Silver

I too have shopped at Ten Dollar Silver but used cash and bought 2 pair of earrings for $10 each. I had to bargain for that price. The store name is deceiving as they only have mostly tiny items for $10 but we got some nice long dangle earrings for $10 each after negotiating. I would complain to my credit card company and fight the charge. I always try to use cash for the trinkets I bring home from Mexico...And always always negotiate the price. The later in the day it is, the lower the price you can get.

Trip

December 30th, 2011 04:46 PM

Another hint is to ask if they can do better if you pay with cash. Stores are charged a fee for a sale, and, a refund as the op wanted. They would prefer cash, and for small amounts, for the buyer, it's easier to control the sale, as we know, from them trying to hide the amount.

Let the buyer beware...

colorcrazie

January 2nd, 2012 02:11 PM

And it's not just Cozumel. All of the ports know that you are leaving on the ship, usually the same day, so you are not likely going to be coming back to make a scene the next day. There are many honest vendors out there, but also a few scammers. The same as here in the U.S., but without our legal system for protection.
Marty

Paul Motter

January 2nd, 2012 02:47 PM

I agree with colorcrazie on this, there are a LOT of scammers who know they will never see you again.

What that shop did to the OP makes me crazy. I would have gone outside and looked for a policeman. And then I would have gone to Carnival and told them what happened (if it is in the port area those shops are only there because the cruise lines subsidized the pier).

And finally I would dispute the entire amount with the credit card company - I would just say I asked for a full refund and was denied. That is why you have credit cards.

By the way - there are plenty of tricks that can be done with cash as well. Here is one -

Say you purchase something for $99 and you hand the vendor a handful of five $20 bills - the vendor is up high so you can't see his desk. He takes the money and puts it down out of your sight and suddenly he says "You owe me another $20," and he holds up four $20 bills.

Most people would just say "Oh, sorry." and hand him another $20. I guarantee you this happens much more often than you think.

Cruisin'

February 13th, 2012 11:52 AM

They Got Me!

I wish I had read these posts before my trip last week.

I bought a pair of Tanzanite earrings (1.28tcw) for $860 and had them reset in gold for $140. I got home and was told they would be worth between $400 and $500 if they weren't CHIPPED.

Now I begin the fight to get my money back. I have contacted the Customer Service of DI and await their return call.

I can't believe I was so stupid - they are beautiful but not worth $1000.:mad::(

Paul Motter

February 13th, 2012 11:58 AM

So sorry to hear that. I have purchased very inexpensive stones of good size in the Caribbean (Tanzanite, etc, even a diamond), but I always ask for a jeweler's glass and look at them closely for defects.

But I think they prey upon people who do not inspect them, giving them the "tourista" price first just to see what happens.

Trip

February 13th, 2012 12:01 PM

The pair of tanzanite earrings at that price were not set in gold? It seems to me for that price it should have been. Did D.I. do the resetting for you, while you waited?

If so, once the stone was out of the mounting,they would have seen the chip, if they were doing what they were supposed to. Was the chip under the prong, once reset, and were BOTH chipped?

With this store's reputation, they should stand by their work. Let us know how you make out.. good luck

Trip

February 13th, 2012 12:08 PM

Paul, I have to agree...get a jewlers loupe to use when you go into the stores....when I have pulled mine out, it seems the salesperson, gets slightly more consciencious.

serjcruise

February 15th, 2014 05:10 PM

DI (Diamonds International)...they have a LOT of complaints and Carnival is still promoting them :mad:....money money money

Dannyboy

March 30th, 2014 04:04 PM

Rip-Offs in Cozumel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Motter
(Post 1407933)

I agree with colorcrazie on this, there are a LOT of scammers who know they will never see you again.

What that shop did to the OP makes me crazy. I would have gone outside and looked for a policeman. And then I would have gone to Carnival and told them what happened (if it is in the port area those shops are only there because the cruise lines subsidized the pier).

And finally I would dispute the entire amount with the credit card company - I would just say I asked for a full refund and was denied. That is why you have credit cards.

By the way - there are plenty of tricks that can be done with cash as well. Here is one -

Say you purchase something for $99 and you hand the vendor a handful of five $20 bills - the vendor is up high so you can't see his desk. He takes the money and puts it down out of your sight and suddenly he says "You owe me another $20," and he holds up four $20 bills.

Most people would just say "Oh, sorry." and hand him another $20. I guarantee you this happens much more often than you think.

Good point, Paul

I wrote an article years ago for your group, when I joined your group on the Celebrity Solstice with my daughter, after researching Cuban cigars, I found they are one of the biggest money makers on CozumelThe credit card company can not do anything, they are illegal for Americans to buy, however, Canadians can take them home legally.

The majority of the cigars sold to cruisers have Cubin bands on Mexican or Dominican cigars that say Cohiba's or Romeo & Juliette, which they mark up 500% to 800%. The best part is the cruiser burns the evidence.

chucktoni

September 22nd, 2014 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOBEMOMOF2
(Post 1407464)

Beware when shopping in the stores in the Port of Cozumel. I shopped at Ten Dollar Silver on 12/23/11. Told earrings were $42. Said too much and put them back. Guy said how about $35 for the earrings. My daughter wanted a ring too. Ring $30 and earrings $35. I confirmed before I gave my credit card. They covered total on receipt when I went to sign (I didn't notice) when they pulled their hand away I saw I was charged $75! I said you overcharged should be $65. Cashier says "oh no it's right. Earrings are $45. I said then I don't want them (I have not moved from the register). "So sorry we can not do credits". She moves a sign behind some bags that says "no refunds". "Nothing I can do, too bad". I said you can do a credit. Cashier said "I can not do credits. If you know how, here is credit card machine, you do it" This was a deliberate con. They are operating to rip off passengers they know are in a hurry to get back to ship. It was blatant and deliberate. DO NOT SHOP at this store (1st jewelry store when coming back in from parking lot heading to ships). Great selection but VERY dishonest people!!

We shopped in Cozumel instead of snorkeling. Big mistake. Went to Silver Cozumel, at least that's what they called it. It was Sept. 3, 2014 and thought we were buying pink sapphires and had it appraised as pink ice cubic zirconia. Spent $1,156.00 for $400.00 worth of jewelry. I now read don't shop at the port. Also bought two Cuban cigars which we were told was the limit to bring back to the US. Try nothing from Cuba is allowed. A heavy fine, so we gave them to our room attendant. Not safe to buy anything in any country without checking first.

Trip

September 22nd, 2014 10:45 AM

Were your earrings purchased with a credit card? If so, you should have put in a claim, and, let them handle it...As far as the Cuban cigars, you could have smoked them, before disembarkment...any research done before your cruise would have, had this red flag show up....

pisces05

December 30th, 2014 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktoni
(Post 1507605)

We shopped in Cozumel instead of snorkeling. Big mistake. Went to Silver Cozumel, at least that's what they called it. It was Sept. 3, 2014 and thought we were buying pink sapphires and had it appraised as pink ice cubic zirconia. Spent $1,156.00 for $400.00 worth of jewelry. I now read don't shop at the port. Also bought two Cuban cigars which we were told was the limit to bring back to the US. Try nothing from Cuba is allowed. A heavy fine, so we gave them to our room attendant. Not safe to buy anything in any country without checking first.

No joke - they brag about the rare liqours in the ports, but low and behold, you can only bring a single bottle into the US!

Mike M

December 30th, 2014 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pisces05
(Post 1511816)

No joke - they brag about the rare liqours in the ports, but low and behold, you can only bring a single bottle into the US!

It's caveat emptor.

You can bring as many bottles of liquor back to the US as you want. The difference is that you have to pay duty on them. Actually, the duty isn't that much. $3 - $10 depending on the liquor. So if you do find something you can only get in Mexico it may still be worth it to stock up and just declare them and pay the duty.